She was also the leader in the successful prosecution of anti-abortion extremist James Kopp for the murder of obstratician and abortion provider Barnett Slepian.

In the announcement ending her candidacy she neglected to endorse any specific candidate for the Democratic nomination but, instead, emphasized her desire to see Eliot Spitzer elected governor.

As Assistant Secretary, she served as the Governor's top criminal justice advisor and oversaw the State Police, Division of Parole and the Department of Corrections.

She also assisted in the development of statewide criminal justice and public safety policies and worked on homeland security efforts for the state.

She was a candidate in the 2006 Democratic primary for New York Attorney General.Governor Paterson retained O'Donnell in his cabinet following his taking office on March 17, 2008.

Paterson and the State Police were accused of improperly contacting the alleged victim of domestic abuse committed by David W. Johnson, a top aide to the governor.

In her resignation, O'Donnell called "[such] actions unacceptable regardless of their intent," and said that the conduct was "particularly distressing" in an administration "that prides itself on its record of combating domestic violence."